The appearance of video game characters has a significant impact on the self-esteem of children under the age of 10, according to the study “Body Satisfaction and Screen Media Use in Spanish Schoolchildren” conducted by researchers from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and Universitat Autònoma de Catalunya (UOC).
Seventy-two children of this age were interviewed. The answers given by the children were analyzed, and the results showed a direct correlation between the content consumed (video games, television) and satisfaction with their appearance. One of the study’s main findings was that the appearance of video game characters influences body image dissatisfaction among girls.
At the same time, no such dissatisfaction was found among boys. According to J. Roberto Sanchez-Reina, a researcher from UPF’s Department of Information and Communication Technology, the fact that the pressure of body shape affects mostly girls suggests that boys are more satisfied with their bodies. And the fact that it doesn’t look like a character’s body from a video game has no effect on them. But this is because girls’ appearance and, in particular, the shape of their bodies are paid more attention to by others. The media amplifies this effect by normalizing body standards. And if a girl does not meet these standards, she suffers.
Even though gender stereotypes are gradually beginning to break down, some persist. For example, a female character in a video game may have a masculine and strong character, but she will still conform to stereotypical ideas of a beautiful body. Although female bodies are diverse, girls and young women continue to strive for imposed standards.
This problem not only affects children, but also some adults. It is essential to encourage a love for the body and learn to consume content consciously. After all, screen time can be spent not only on social networks or games dominated by unrealistic images but also on more neutral and relaxing entertainment. For example, the dynamic game Plinko does not require immersion in the world of stereotypical characters but offers a simple and exciting process with bright visual effects. The game rules are pretty simple. You can master them on gambling-related websites dedicated to Plinko, the most visited of which is http://www.plinkogames.in/. There is also a selection of online casinos for playing Plinko.
The problem still lies in the fact that the media does not focus solely on a woman’s personality or skills but on how she looks. This can make girls feel their worth is based solely on their looks. As a result, they want to conform to beauty standards rather than develop personally.
According to researchers, neutralizing the damaging effects of screens on children’s self-esteem is the key to improving it. Children must be encouraged to love their bodies and accept them for who they are. They must also stress that bodies can be different and combat social pressures. Children must also be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They should be taught about the principles of good nutrition, especially if they are gamers and sit in front of the computer for long periods.